Zirconium, not stranger

Zirconium has been regarded as a gem since anicent times, because of its colorful color, playing a decorative role in human life. With the deepening of people's understanding of zirconium, the application of zirconium is more and more extensive. Maybe most people are unfamiliar with zirconium, but it has penetrated into all aspects of our life. For example, zirconium is indispensable in all kinds of buildings, ceramics, knives and decorations, even in military and nuclear power fields.

Industrial Chian of Zirconium

Zirconium products are rich in varieties and various in forms. The initial mineral form is zircon sand, which can generate primary products such as zirconium silicate and zirconium oxychloride after caustic soda, water washing and other treatment; zirconium dioxide and industrial grade sponge zirconium can also be made after continuous calcination, chlorination and reduction; if the technical level of purification and separation reaches a certain level, it can be made into nuclear grade sponge zirconium.

Zirconium is widely used in ceramics, refractories and other fields, mainly in the form of zirconium silicate and zirconia. Only 3% - 4% of zirconium ore is processed into Metallic Zirconium (or sponge zirconium), and then further processed into various zirconium materials. Due to its small thermal neutron absorption cross-section, zirconium has excellent nuclear performance. Nuclear grade zirconium is used as structural material of nuclear power aircraft carrier, nuclear submarine and civil power reactor, as cladding of uranium fuel element, etc. Nuclear grade zirconium is an important strategic metal of our country, which is closely related to the development of nuclear industry.

As an active metal, zirconium will form oxide film at room temperature, which makes zirconium and its alloys have excellent corrosion resistance. At the same time, zirconium has good mechanical and heat transfer properties, coupled with significant cost advantages, making it an excellent corrosion-resistant structural material in the field of petrochemical industry.

Zirconium used in chemical acid and alkali resistant equipment, military industry and electronic industry is called industrial grade zirconium. In terms of processing difficulty, technological level and technological content, zirconium and its alloy products are at the top of the industrial chain.

Zirconium Products and its Applicantion

Zirconium Silicate

Zirconium silicate is an important kind of traditional zirconium products. The product is made of zircon sand by grinding, calcining and pulverizing. It is a high-quality and cheap opacifier for ceramic glaze. It is mainly used in the production of building ceramics, daily ceramics and electric ceramics. It is also widely used in high-grade refractory materials, precision casting, emulsion glass and other industries.

Zirconium Carbonate

It is mainly used as the additive of cosmetics, waterproof agent, flame retardant, sunscreen, fiber and paper surface additive, and can be used to produce zirconium cerium composite catalytic materials. It is an important raw material in the textile, paper, paint and cosmetics industries. In recent years, its consumption has been growing.

Zirconium Oxychloride

The main raw materials for the separation of zirconium and hafnium from other zirconium products, such as zirconium dioxide, zirconium carbonate, zirconium sulfate, composite zirconium oxide and zirconium and hafnium, can also be used for textile, leather, rubber additives, metal surface treatment agents, paint drying agents, refractories, ceramics, catalytic agents, fireproof agents and other products. In recent years, the annual output of China is more than 90000 tons. Zircon sand is the main raw material of zirconia.

Fused Zirconia

It is short for fused zirconium and fused zirconia, which are mainly used to produce glazes and refractories. Due to the high content of impurities in fused zirconium, its application is limited.

Zirconium Sulfate

The important raw materials of leather tanning agent, wool treatment agent and paint surface oxidizer can be used as catalyst carrier, amino acid and protein, precipitant and deodorant, and also as intermediate raw materials for preparing zirconium chemicals and metal zirconium and hafnium.

Zirconia

It is a nontoxic and tasteless white solid with sufficient stability for alkali solution and many acid solutions. It is suitable for industries and products such as precision ceramics, electronic ceramics, optical lenses, glass additives, zirconium bricks, ceramic pigments, enamels, artificial gemstones, refractories, grinding and polishing.

Stabilized Zirconia

Also known as semi stable and stable zirconia, it is a non-toxic and tasteless white powder with stable chemical properties and controllable specific surface area.

Zirconia Structure Ceramics

It is made of composite zirconia as raw material, including zirconia grinding media and zirconia structural parts. Zirconia structural parts mainly include zirconia special ceramic valves, optical fiber connectors, ceramic cutting tools, watch accessories, ceramic scissors, textile ceramics, etc.

Nuclear Grade Zirconium

It is an important strategic metal mainly used as structural material of nuclear power aircraft carrier, nuclear submarine and civil power reactor, and cladding of uranium fuel element

Industrial Grade Zirconium

Industrial grade zirconium is mainly used for manufacturing chemical acid and alkali resistant equipment, military industry, electronic industry, pipeline valve materials, special high strength and high temperature alloy materials, electric vacuum and lighting bulb industry getter.

Firearm Grade Zirconium

It is used as firearm sponge zirconium combustion agent, alloy additive, metallurgical deoxidizer, chemical industry, civil flash fireworks, etc.

Global Zirconium Consumption Region

At present, China and Europe are the main consumer markets of zirconium, and China's demand for zirconium accounts for 52%. China's nuclear power has entered a rapid development stage, which has given birth to the demand for nuclear grade zirconium. At the same time, China is the world's largest producer and exporter of ceramic industry, and zirconium silicate is the direct and main raw material of ceramic industry. With the rapid development of China's ceramic industry in recent years, the demand for zirconium is also increasing rapidly.